We've Been Fighting Frizz With This New Range from Redken
As someone with a mop of hair that would rival that of sasquatch, I was pretty excited to try out a product that promised to decrease frizz by an impressive 85%.
Just to build a picture, I have long, thick, curly hair, well, curly for the most part, but as anyone with this type of hair knows, frizz is only dying to take over if you give it a chance.
Down the years, I have tried every manner of product going to control my wayward locks: serum, creams, hair spray and of course hair mousse, which usually only succeeds in making your hair as stiff as straw by the time you're done.
I have stuck with the same hair care regime for many a year - shampoo, conditioner, and then towel drying my hair and adding in just a small amount of conditioner and scrunching my hair with it. And no, it's not even leave-in conditioner. I know, I'm as bowld, but I figure it has to be better for my hair than some thick mouse sitting in it all day.
However, when these new Redken products came into the office I decided it was time to stray away from my own tried and tested formula and branch out into something new.
The products I tried out were the Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo and Conditioner, along with the FPF Rebel Tame leave-in smoothing cream, the FPF 20 Smooth Force lightweight smoothing lotion spray and the Redken Frizz Dismiss Mask.
FPF, in case you are wondering, means Frizz Protection Factor. Yeah we're pretty sure that acronym won't catch on either but for the purpose of this article that's what we'll refer to it as.
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The products offer 4 levels of smoothing and humidity protection for all hair types - from fine to coarse. So essentially, hair is protected from humidity and thus can become frizz-free. Hallelujah! You might say, but does it work?
Well initially, for point of comparison, I tried out the shampoo and conditioner without the styling products that go with it. First impressions? My hair felt incredibly soft after it but all in all my curls looked flatter and there was undoubtedly frizz still lurking.
Here's a pic of what it looked like a few hours after washing (bear in mind there is no styling product in my hair whatsoever).
I did notice later on in the day however that the frizz did tame slightly and it was definitely smoother than after using my normal off-the-supermarket-shelf shampoo and conditioner, but just marginally so.
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One crucial factor with the shampoo however is that it is sulfate-free. Sulfates, as any hairdressor will tell you, are pretty much like the fire-breathing dragons of the hair world. Most shampoos you get in the supermarket have them because they are cheaper to bulk out products with. However, they build up on the outside of the hair and leave a layer so nothing is penetrating into the hair condition wise. So in summary, sulphates = bad.
The styling products then I was more keen on, particularly the smoothing cream (FPF 40 Rebel Tame leave-in smoothing cream) I scrunched this into my hair after towel drying, and it really was an improvement. The curls looked more defined than usual, definitely less frizz and still that soft-hair feeling that made it all look and feel natural. Even got the odd compliment or two, so was delighted with myself.
Then I used the spray both with the cream and on its own but as it's really for fine to medium hair types I'm not sure I could be the best judge. It certainly didn't seem to hurt anyways but for thick hair I would ditch it and go straight to the smoothing cream.
Here is my hair with the styling cream in it. I know you can still see some frizz at the sides and on top, but overall, the curls held throughout the day.
The hair mask then I tried out one Saturday evening before heading out. You can leave it in for five to fifteen minutes, and I figured I may as well get the best of it so went for the full fifteen (it was also was a good excuse to pop a face mask on too!) My hair felt unbelievably smooth when washing it out, and afterwards it also looked well-conditioned and had a definite shine. It felt like a nice treat for my hair, but no more than a face mask, remembering and taking the time to do it can be the biggest problem.
In summary, if you are looking for a quality sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that will leave your hair feeling soft and flowy, I would definitely recommend Redken, and likewise for the hair mask it you are looking for a real treat for your hair.
However if you are on a budget and just looking to decrease frizz, I would just go straight to the styling cream, or for fine hair, you'd probably be grand with just the spray.
Here's what it all would set you back:
- Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo €16.55
- Redken Frizz Dismiss Conditioner €18.60
- Redken FPF 20 Smooth Force lightweight smoothing lotion spray - €21.80
- Redken FPF 40 Rebel Tame leave-on smoothing control cream - €23.40
- Redken Friss Dismiss Mask - €29.50
Do you battle with frizz? How do you try to combat it? Would you give these guys a go?